Kaleici Courtyard Igceke Lehhotela by Nilgun Kucukbicak

Kaleici Courtyard Igceke Lehhotela by Nilgun Kucukbicak is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Umklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award in Ukwamukela Izivakashi Competition Category.

InsimbiUkwamukela Izivakashi· 2026

Kaleici Courtyard Igceke Lehhotela

by Nilgun Kucukbicak

Client: Motto Mimarlik

Umklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award Winner in Ukwamukela Izivakashi Category

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The Design

About Kaleici Courtyard Igceke Lehhotela

I-Kaleici Courtyard yigceke lehhotela elitholakala eduze kweSango likaHadrian e-Antalya, eTurkey. Leli gceke lihlanganisa cishe amamitha-skwele angu-800 futhi lisebenza njengendawo yokuhlangana komphakathi neyesimo sezulu. Iminyango enemikhumbulo, i-pergola yezingxenye ezihlanganisiwe engaba amamitha-skwele angu-150, kanye nesici samanzi esimaphakathi esingaba amamitha-skwele angu-40 kuqondisa ukunyakaza futhi kunikeze umthunzi. Uphansi lwamatshe emvelo anezinhlangothi eziyisithupha, izindawo ezinobumba lwamaminerali olumhlophe, kanye nezinsimbi zokubambelela ezimnyama ezikhandiwe kukhumbuza izilinganiso zomlando. Izindawo zokutshala kanye nomthunzi ongazenzeli kwehlisa izinga lokushisa futhi kusekele ukuhlangana kwabantu.

The Recognition

About the Umklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award

Kaleici Courtyard Igceke Lehhotela iwinile uMklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award, ukwaziswa okuhloniphekile okunikezwa imiklamo emihle ehlangabezana nezidingo zobungcweti nezemboni ezilindelekile ezimpahleni ezihlelwe kahle. Abawinile beNsimbi babonisa ikhono elikhulu, ubungcweti obuphezulu, ukuqonda kochwepheshe namandla okudala abadali babo. Kaleici Courtyard Igceke Lehhotela ilindeleke ukuba ibe yinto exatshwa kakhulu, edunyiswayo nethandwayo esebenzayo nenezinto ezintsha. Lo mklamo owinile uMklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award uhlanganisa izindlela ezinhle kakhulu zemboni futhi unezimfanelo zobuchwepheshe ezifanelekile ezihlanganiswe nolwazi nethalente. Kaleici Courtyard Igceke Lehhotela iyahlonishwa ngenxa yokucophelela kwayo futhi ihlelelwe ukulethela izinguquko zomgangatho wempilo ezisiza ukwenza umhlaba ube yindawo engcono.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The Kaleici Courtyard Project reinterprets a historic hotel courtyard adjacent to Hadrian Gate, transforming it into a contemporary social and climatic hub. Arched rhythms, modular pergola, and organic water features reference the historical threshold, while hexagonal stone flooring, metal details, and minimalist interventions balance heritage with modern spatial continuity.
Dimensions & Packaging: The courtyard covers an estimated area of 800 square meters, with modular arched zones defining circulation and hierarchy. Pergola spans 150 square meters over main gathering areas. Water feature occupies approximately 40 square meters in the central axis. Height variations range from 3.0 m at pedestrian thresholds to 4.5 m under pergola. The courtyard is integrated with surrounding hotel blocks and heritage facades, maintaining visual connectivity with Hadrian Gate.
Tags: Historical Continuity, Courtyard Design, Hotel Interior, Pergola, Hexagonal Stone, Water Feature, Social Hub, Heritage Dialogue, Passive Cooling, Contemporary Intervention
Production Technology: The project features reinforced concrete and masonry structures for the courtyard and surrounding hotel areas, natural stone flooring with hexagonal modules, white mineral plaster surfaces, black forged metal railings, semi-permeable pergola systems, organic water features, integrated planting zones, custom linear and decorative lighting, passive shading strategies, and HVAC for surrounding indoor spaces. All metal elements fabricated with CNC cutting and precision welding; stonework aligned modularly to preserve historical rhythm.
Design Challenge: he main challenge was balancing historical authenticity with contemporary design. Maintaining visual continuity with Hadrian Gate while introducing modern materials and passive climate strategies required precise proportioning, modular detailing, and careful intervention to avoid visual mimicry.
Research: The project investigates how historical courtyard thresholds can be reinterpreted in contemporary hospitality architecture. By analyzing spatial hierarchy, light-shadow interplay, and material layering, it demonstrates a method to integrate historical reference, climatic performance, and social functionality.
Inspiration: Inspired by Hadrian Gate’s historical triple arch and threshold concept, the project examines transitions from public streets to private inner courtyards. The design abstracts historical proportions, light-shadow relations, and rhythmic stone patterns to create a contemporary courtyard experience.
Project Duration: Designed in Antalya, Turkey
Operation Flow: Visitors experience a controlled threshold from the street to the semi-private courtyard. Arched openings, pergola shadows, and textured flooring guide movement. Water feature and planting zones create visual and climatic layers, encouraging social interaction while referencing historical patterns.
Team Members: Nilgun Kucukbicak